Rap, race and reality with a dash of technology was Chuck D's recipe for discussion last night as the rapper spoke to students at Eisenhower Auditorium as part of the Distinguished Speaker Series.

"Rap, race and reality is on the tip of everyone's brain," he said. "Technology affects every one of us."

The founder and frontman of the rap group Public Enemy applied these topics to college and life at Penn State, relating some of his personal experiences to students.

You have to work hard, make change and get your money's worth, Chuck D said. This task is even more difficult for black students, he said.

"Everybody comes to school with a talent," he said. "You've got to manifest that into a skill."

Chuck D told the story of how he was kicked out of college and returned to graduate after several years.

The rapper later came to prominence with Public Enemy in the late '80s and was known for his politically and socially conscious lyrics.

Chuck D also said today's popular culture presents a negative image that many teenagers eagerly accept, and have to overcome later.

"We've got to stop following stereotypical images based on TV," he said.

The stereotypes have led to a misinterpretation of the words rap and hip-hop and the culture with which they are identified.

Rap music is a vocal application on top of music, while hip-hop is a modern term used to describe the creativity of the black community.

The interpretation that hip-hop culture is a gun culture or thug culture is a slap in the face, he said.

"The diversity of rap music and hip-hop is not being exploited by the mainstream," he said.

The history of the black community can often be derived from its music. Migration has a huge impact on music, which is why Motown, rap and blues developed where they did, he said.

"Without any outlet, the outlet had to be music," he said.

The rapper also spoke against American foreign policy, citing the U.S. walkout at the racism conference in South Africa as a major problem.

"Americans have a problem thinking outside of a U.S.A. box," he said.

They need to ask how they fit into the world, rather than separate themselves, he said.

Asia Smith (freshman-communications) thought the presentation by Chuck D was informative, culturalized and very real.

"He's diversified, he's done so much in his background," she said. "It very much applies to Penn State."

Chuck D encouraged students to challenge information and remain independent while at college.

"That's actually getting your education," he said. "Leave with your own mind, that is very important."